TEVENDALE, Lewis Legertwood Legg
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Rank:
Regimental Sergeant Major (later Major)
Unit / Base:
11 Commando
'Layforce'
Prior Police Service:
Kincardineshire Constabulary
Regiment/Corps:
Gordon Highlanders
Royal Leicestershire Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
2873628 and 226916
Honours & Awards:
Died :
Monday, October 16, 1961
Place died:
Stracathro Hospital, Tayside
Age:
51
Warrant Officer Class 1 Regimental Sergeant Major Lewis Tevendale, No.11 Commando ('C' Bn., Layforce), was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in recognition of his distinguished service during the battle of Litani River, Syria, on 9-10 June 1941.
Recommendation
"R.S.M. Tevendale showed great initiative and daring when he assumed command of a detachment after all three of its officers had been killed. On being unable to contact the detachment on his right he led his party forward under heavy fire and succeeded in dispersing several enemy detachments.
He remained in position covering the enemy's L of C (lines of communication) to their forward positions, and, by cutting field telephone lines and capturing or killing runners he prevented information being passed in either direction. The detachment inflcted severe casualties on the enemy retiring to their secondary positions throughout the day but they were eventually surrounded and captured during the evening but were able to escape on the following morning during the advance of the Australian Brigade" [1][2].
- 20 November 1928 attested into the Gordon Highlanders [3].
- 14 June 1935 joined the Kincardineshire Constabulary. He was a former Scottish Police heavyweight boxing champion before being called up from the Reserve List at the outbreak of the war and rejoining the Gordon Highlanders [3][3a][3b].
- 1940/41 volunteered for the Commandos joining No.11 Commando. Embarked for the Middle East with Layforce. Awarded the D.C.M. at Litani River in June 1941 [1][2].
- 14 December 1941 granted an emergency commission Second Lieutenant, Leicestershire Regiment [4].
- Served 2nd Leicesters 1943-44 in India and in 71 Column, Chindits' Second Expedition in Burma [5].
- 21 November 1945 Second Lieutenant (War Substantive Captain) from emergency commission Leicestershire Regiment to be Lieutenant (Gordons), with seniority, 1 August 1938 [6].
- 21 November 1945 promoted Captain, (Gordons), with seniority 28 June 1941[7].
- 1 July 1946 promoted Major, Gordon Highlanders [8].
- 12 June 1957 retired on account of disability [9].
- Post war member of the Commando Association [10].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 35316, page 6087.
[2] National Archives files WO373/27/32 and WO218/171.
[3] Tony Moore, FRHistS, former Chief Supt. Met. Police.
[3a] Image above and report in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal 30 October 1941.
[3b] Report in the Aberdeen Evening Express 12 June 1941.
[4] London Gazette 35478, page 1057.
[5] The Royal Leicestershire Regiment website.
[6] London Gazette 37355, page 5636.
[7] London Gazette 37434, page 511.
[8] London Gazette 37635, page 3374.
[9] London Gazette 41100, page 3591.
[10] Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 34 issued March 1962.
[Image below] Aberdeen Press and Journal 14 January 1937.
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